Impression cylinders



Sept. 19, 1961 K. BARTHEL Filed March 27, 1959 2 ll/7% l l f I r. M3 W? W I f v 7 u 7 Wf w 7/// F 4% Sept. 19, 1961 K. BARTHEL IMPRESSION CYLINDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27. 1959 United States Patent l 3,000,301 IMPRESSION CYLINDERS Karl Barthel, Heidelberg, Germany, assignor to Schnellpresseufabrik A.G. Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,

a corporation of Germany Filed Mar. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 802,388 Claims priority, application Germany Jan. 31, 1959 4 Claims. (Cl. 101-375) This invention relates to printing presses and more particularly to an improved impression cylinder for relief printing machines.

Impression cylinders constructed or assembled from a core portion remaining in the printing machine and a removable jacket portion, radially positionable on the core portion to form the impression cylinder, are well known in the printing art. Such impression cylinders facilitate make-ready operations since the jacket portion can have the stereotype or printing plates mounted thereon while removed from the printing press or machine and can then be readily mounted and aligned on the core portion thereby greatly reducing make-ready operations on the cylinder. Moreover, a plurality of removable jacket portions may be provided so that printing operations can be carried on while one plate carrying jacket is in use and another plate carrying jacket is prepared for other printing operations. Thus once a given printing job or run is completed the plate carrying jacket on the impression cylinder core portion can be removed and another plate carrying jacket placed thereon so that press downtime is held at a minimum.

In order to facilitate removal and replacement of the plate carrying jacket portion on impression cylinders of this type various constructions have been proposed, however, in most cases the impression cylinders still involve constructions in which the plate carrying jacket on the cylinder core is diflicult to remove and align on the core portion. It has recently been proposed to provide a bifurcated plate carrying jacket with inner oppositely disposed flattened guide surfaces extending longitudinally of the jacket in parallel with the longitudinal axis thereof. The jacket fits over the core portion in a fork-like manner so that the flattened surfaces of the jacket register with corresponding flattened surfaces on opposite sides of the core. Although this construction of an impression cylinder greatly simplifies assembly of the impression cylinder and alignment of the jacket on the core portion, the construction is relatively expensive. The longitudinally extending flat surfaces of the jacket and core portion must be accurately machined in order to preclude jamming when assembling the impression cylinder and when radially removing the jacket portion from the core portion. Moreover, the accurately machined flat surfaces are not readily accessible in the jacket portion greatly complicating the machining operations and greatly increasing the cost of manufacturing such impression cylinders.

It is a principal object of the present invention not only to remove the faults or shortcomings of known impression cylinder constructions, but also to provide a simpler and cheaper construction and a construction which greatly facilitates the assembly of the impression cylinder reducing the downtime of a printing machine in which the impression cylinder is employed.

A feature of the impression cylinder in accordance with the invention is the provision of a construction in which a cylindrical core portion is provided with a plurality of axially spaced ribs having peripheral surfaces forming a part of the circumference of the core portion. A hollow stereotype plate carrying jacket portion is removably mounted radially onthe core portion extending longitu- Patented Sept. 19, 1961 ice dinally over a part of the core portion, and circumferentially at least over a part of the core portion, forming a part of the circumference of theimpression cylinder. The plate carrying jacket portion has inner, axially, spaced ribs extending angularly in the inner periphery at a given angular distance. The ribs on the plate carrying jacket portion have innermost surfaces corresponding to the inner periphery of the jacket for overlying and resting on the peripheral surfaces of corresponding ribs on the core portion.

The impression cylinder is assembled by disposing the plate carrying portion radially on the core portion with the ribs of each portion aligned with grooves between the ribs of the other portion then shifting the cylinder jacket portion axially on the core subsequent to assembly to cause the peripheral surfaces of the ribs on the jacket and core to register and thereby act as locating and supporting surfaces by which the jacket is radially supported on the core. In this manner, the plate carrying jacket is easily inserted over the core and readily alignable axially on the core. Means are provided for adjustably and releasably positioning and fixing the jacket portion radially and axially on the core portion in a selected fixed axial position.

Other features and advantages of the impression cylinder in accordance with the present invention will be better understood as described in the following specification and appended claims, in conjunction with the following drawings in which FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a plate carrying jacket portion for an impression cylinder, according to the present invention, and is illustrative of the manner in which inner axially spaced ribs thereon have innermost peripheral surfaces corresponding to the inner periphery of the jacket,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a core portion for an impression cylinder according to the present invention and is illustrative of the manner in which the radial ribs thereon have their peripheral surfaces corresponding to the periphery of the core,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an impression cylinder, according to the invention, illustrating the core and jacket portions of FIGS. 1 and 2 in assembled relationship and the manner in which the locating surfaces register to radially support the jacket on the core portion,

FIG. 4 is a side view of an impression cylinder, according to the invention, partly in section and illustrates the manner in which the jacket of FIG. 1 is radially and axially adjusted and held on the core portion shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plate carrying jacket shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plate carrying jacket and core portions of FIGS. 1 and 2 in disassembled relationship and illustrates the manner in which the jacket portion is assembled with the core portion to form an impression cylinder, according to the invention.

According to the drawings, a cylindrical core portion 1 is provided, on two oppositely disposed sides, with axially spaced grooves 2 arranged at right angles to the cylinder axis and radially extending webs or ribs 3 axially spaced and also disposed at right angles to the cylinder axis and ribs 3 between the grooves 2 having outermost or peripheral locating surfaces thereon. A hollow, removable cylinder jacket portion 4 is also provided with axially spaced inner grooves 5 and situated therebetween webs or ribs 6 arranged at right angles to the jacket axis and having inner peripheral locating surfaces for coopcrating with the locating surfaces of the core portion as later herein set forth. The grooves 3, 5 of both of said portions are constructed wider than the webs '3, 6 located therebetween. The locating surfaces of the ribs 3,

6 correspond with the periphery of the core portion 1 and the inner periphery of the jacket portion 4, respectively. The jacket portion is assembled with the core portion 1 radially disposed thereon forming apart of the circumference of a rotatably driven impression cylinder for relief printing in a press in the manner shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the jacket is formed larger than a halfcylinder and forms a part of the circumference of the impression cylinder greater than one-half thereof.

In assembling the twoportions to form a relief printing cylinder the jacket portion 4 is disposed radially on the core portion 1 with the ribs 3, 6 of one part aligned with the grooves 2, 5 of the other part or portion. By shifting the cylinder jacket axially on the cylindrical core 1 subsequent to assembly the peripheral locating surfaces on ribs 6 of the cylinder jacket are caused to accurately register with the peripheral locating surfaces of the ribs 3 of the cylinder core 1, by means of which the cylinder jacket is radially supported on the core. It being understood that the core and jacket portions are preferably constructed with an equal number of cooperating locating surfaces or ribs.

Helical dovetail grooves 7 formed in the cylinder jacket 4, are adapted to receive clamping lugs 8, which releasably clamp the curved printing plates 9 in position. It being understood the lugs clamp a marginal edge portion of peripheral recessed surfaces on plates 9. The core portion 1 is provided with segment members or plates 10, which are fixed thereon as reinforcements to prevent the cylinder jacket 4 from being twisted on the cylinder core 1 since the core portion is constructed substantially hollow with lightening openings as shown.

In assembled relationship (FIG. 4) jacket portion 4 is held radially on core portion 1 at one end by an annular internally threaded member 11 which is screwed on one end of core portion. Annular member 11 is provided with an annular beveled recess into which a ring 12 is received and held radially in position, as shown. The ring 12 is also received in an annular recess on a corresponding end .of jacket portion 4 so that in being held radially in position ring 12 holds one end of the jacket in position. At the opposite end of the core portion, an annular internally threaded member 13 screwed thereon engages a clamping ring 18 in' the manner in which ring 12 is clamped and held. The ring 18 cooperates with the other end of the jacket in the manner heretofore explained with respect to ring 12.

Prior to clamping the jacket 4 in a secure and set position axially on the core portion 1 the jacket is properly axially positioned thereon by means of an end annular member 15 which is internally threaded at 14 and fits on 'a threaded portion of the core portion. Member 15 is provided with radial bores 16 extending radially inwardly by means of which it can be screwed onto the core portion or backed off by use of a spanner wrench. Member 13 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced axially extending bores in which are movably mounted pins 17 which bear against ring 18. Thus, when threaded ring 15 is rotatably driven in a direction for causing it to move toward the left it bears on pins 17 causing them to bear on ring 18 easily shifting jacket 4 into proper axial alignment on core portion 1 with the rib locating surfaces of the two portions properly registering in position. When ring 15 is backed oif the jacket can be easily removed.

Thus, according to the present invention, an impression cylinder can be easily assembled from two cooperative portions on which the radial locating surfaces can be easily and accurately machined. Moreover, a cylindrical jacket portion may be assembled on a core by placing it radially thereon then easily shifting it axially on the core into proper operative position since all the cooperating surfaces of the two portions allow easy axial displacement relative each other.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that many modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An impression cylinder for relief printing machines comprising, a rotatably driven cylindrical core portion provided with a plurality of radially extending ribs. dis.- posed axially spaced over an entire length of the core portion corresponding to the working length of the core portion and each rib having arcuate surfaces forming a part of the circumference of the core portion, and a cylindrical, hollow, arcuate, stereotype plate-carrying jacket portion removably mountable radially on said core portion extending longitudinally over said working length of the core portion and extending circumferentially at least over a half of the core portion to form a part of the circumference of the cylinder, said jacket portion having a longitudinal opening to allow both placement and removal of said jacket portion relative said core portion in a radial direction, said plate-carrying jacket portion having inner, axially spaced ribs extending inwardly along said opening and extending angularly a given angular distance only from opposite marginal edges of said opening, said ribs in the plate-carrying jacket portion being spaced axially relative to each other sufiiciently to allow placement of said jacket portion on said core portion and removal therefrom in a radial direction with said ribs on said core portion passing through spaces between successive ribs on said jacket portion, and said ribs on said jacket portion having innermost surfaces corresponding to the inner periphery of the jacket for overlying and resting on the peripheral surfaces of registering ribs on the core portion.

2. An impression cylinder for relief printing machines comprising, a rotatably driven cylindrical core portion provided with a plurality of radially extending ribs disposed axially spaced over an entire length of the core portion corresponding to the working length of the core portion and each rib having arcuate surfaces forming a part of the circumference of the core portion, and a cylindrical, hollow, arcuate, stereotype plate-carrying jacket portion removably mountable radially on said core portion extending longitudinally over said working length of the core portion and extending circumferentially at least over a half of the core portion to form a part of the circumference of the cylinder, said jacket portion having a longitudinal opening to allow both placement and removal of said jacket portion relative said core portion in a radial direction, said plate-carrying jacket portion having inner, axially spaced ribs extending inwardly along said opening and extending angularly a given angular distance only from opposite marginal edges of said opening, said ribs in the plate-carrying jacket portion being spaced axially relative to each other sufiiciently to allow placement of said jacket portion onsaid core portion and removal therefrom in a radial direction with said ribs on said core portion passing through spaces between successive ribs on said jacket portion, said ribs on said jacket portion having innermost surfaces corresponding to the inner periphery of the jacket for overlying and resting on the peripheral surfaces of registering ribs on the core portion, and means for adjustably and releasably positioning and fixing the jacket portion radially and axially on the core portion in a selected axial position.

3. An impression cylinder for relief printing machines comprising, a rotatably driven cylindrical core portion provided with a plurality of radially extending ribs disposed axially spaced over an entire length of the core portion corresponding to the working length of the core portion and each rib having arcuate surfaces forming a part of the circumference of the core portion, and a cylindrical, hollow, arcuate, stereotype plate-carrying jacket portion removably mountable radially on said core portion extending longitudinally over said working length of the core portion and extending circumferentially at least over -a half of the core portion to form a part of the circumference of the cylinder, said jacket portion having a longitudinal opening to allow both placement and removal of said jacket portion relative said core portion in a radial direction, said plate-carrying jacket portion having inner, axially spaced ribs extending inwardly along said opening and extending angularly a given angular distance only from opposite marginal edges of said opening, said ribs in the plate-carrying jacket portion being spaced axially relative to each other sufficiently to allow placement of said jacket portion of said core portion and removal therefrom in a radial direction with said ribs on said core portion passing through spaces between successive ribs on said jacket portion, and said ribs on said jacket portion corresponding in number to said ribs on said core portion and having innermost surfaces corresponding to the inner periphery of the jacket for overlying and resting on the peripheral surfaces of registering ribs on the core portion.

4. An impression cylinder for relief printing machines comprising, a rotatably driven cylindrical core portion provided with a plurality of axially extending ribs disposed radially opposite, axially spaced over an entire length of the core portion corresponding to the working length of the core porton and each rib having arcuate surfaces forming a part of the circumference of the core portion, and a cylindrical, hollow, arcuate, stereotype plate-carrying jacket portion removably mountable radially on said core portion extending longitudinally over said working length of the core portion and extending circumferentially at least over a half of the core portion to form a part of the circumference of the cylinder, said jacket portion having a longitudinal opening to allow both placement and removal of said jacket portion relative said core portion in a radial direction, said platecarrying jacket portion having inner, axially spaced ribs extending inwardly along said opening and extending angularly a given angular distance only from opposite marginal edges of said opening, said ribs in the platecarrying jacket portion being spaced axially relative to each other sufficiently to allow placement of said jacket portion on said core portion and removal therefrom in a radial direction with said ribs on said core portion passing through spaces between successive ribs on said jacket portion, and said ribs on said jacket portion corresponding in number to said ribs on said core portion and having innermost surfaces corresponding to the inner periphery of the jacket for overlying and resting on the peripheral surfaces of registering ribs on the core portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 451,391 Davis Apr. 28, 1891 591,473 Howe Oct. 12, 1897 1,795,700 Baldwin Mar. 10, 1931 2,525,931 Morse Oct. 17, 1950 

